NFL Retirees slam Upshaw over benefits

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/20070616-9999-1s16nflpa.html

NFLPA head says criticism undeserved
By Jim Trotter
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

June 16, 2007

Gene Upshaw spent his entire football career on offense. But the Hall of Fame guard was on the defensive this week when responding to blistering criticism of his leadership as executive director of the NFL Players Association.

The storyline promoted by a small but vocal group of retired players draws significant public sympathy. They point to some former players, including ones who helped pour the foundation for the multibillion-dollar league, who are broke financially and broken physically. Upshaw, meanwhile, is said to have turned his back on them, too coldblooded and coldhearted to increase their meager pension benefits and not interested in fighting for better post-career health care coverage.


WIN MCNAMEE / Getty Images
NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw insists the union has “made a difference” regarding retirement issues.

While the accusations stung, a defiant and feisty Upshaw said Monday that once you get past the emotion, rhetoric and name-calling, his record withstands objective scrutiny.

“It's the same guys,” he said of his critics, singling out Mike Ditka and Joe DeLamielleure, fellow Hall of Famers who have been extremely vocal. “They don't like me, that's for sure. And I can't change who I am – and I'm not going to change what we do and what we have continued to do. . . .

FULL story at link.